Nokia has announced a free “turn-by-turn” navigation system for its smartphones that will be available to the global market via the Ovi store.
The new version of Ovi Maps will offer car navigation features such as turn-by-turn voice guidance for 74 countries in 46 languages, and traffic information for more than 10 countries, according to Nokia.
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You can download Ovi Maps now on your compatible Nokia handset – which includes the Nokia N97, 5800 XpressMusic, E72, X6, E55, E52, 6710 Navigator – for free.
Nokia has previously offered such services on its phones as part of earlier versions of Nokia Maps, but these have been in the form of a free trial with the option to purchase the service later.
Speaking about the announcement which is sure to ruffle a few feathers in satellite navigation circles, Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia said in a statement: "We want to make using your mobile for navigation as familiar as using it to send a text or take a picture. We believe that making the best maps with voice guided navigation available for free will be the catalyst to do this.
"Why have multiple devices that work in only one country or region? Put it all together, make it free, make it global and you have something that is truly useful and can help you get round almost any city in the world whether you’re on foot or driving."
Nokia has also announces that from March 2010, new Nokia GPS-enabled smartphones will come preloaded with the new version of Ovi Maps, which will sport local country map data and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides for no extra cost.
For a full list of available handsets and to download the free Ovi Maps, visit: www.nokia.com/maps.
Link: Techradar